52 Faces: Brandy Wrangham, Centers for Children and Families, Communities in Schools

Updated 12:31 pm, Monday, May 8, 2017

Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

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One of the 52 Faces of our Community, Brandy Wrangham. 5/03/17 Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

One of the 52 Faces of our Community, Brandy Wrangham. 5/03/17 Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

52 Faces: Brandy Wrangham, Centers for Children and Families, Communities in Schools

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Professional and community involvement:

Paralegal for Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe and Dawson. Bachelor degrees in economics and political science from Texas Tech University. Community involvement: Museum of the Southwest (volunteer and gingerbread workshop chairman for Christmas in the Mansion); Communities in Schools Permian Basin (board member, 2018 Jockeys, Juleps and All that Jazz event chair); American Cancer Society (served on Round up event committee); Junior League (chairman of the Kids First Committee, and will be community vice president); Midland Teen Court (traffic court judge); Houston Elementary (coordinates first-grade Reading Buddy program, annual spelling bee and Cowboy as liaison for Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe and Dawson, which is school’s Partner in Education); Centers for Children and Families (volunteers with Kids First Program and help with the annual fundraiser, “An Evening with…”); St. Luke’s Methodist Church (member of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and volunteers with the vacation Bible school)

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"She has an amazing heart and a generous spirit"

Brandy is devoted to the community and to the children of the Permian Basin. She has been a stalwart supporter of Kids First @ Centers while also giving her time to the Junior League and other organizations. She not only volunteers with Kids First, helping children have the opportunity to bond with their noncustodial parent(s), she also encourages others to support their community. She has an amazing heart and a generous spirit.

Becca Arons, coordinator of Kids First, Centers for Children and Families

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"She is a gift to the children and adults of Midland"

Our community was blessed with an energetic, organized volunteer when Brandy Gardner moved to Midland to marry Josh Wrangham in 2014.

Brandy's volunteer priority is children. She has served many children and parents through the Centers for Children and Families' Kids First visitation program where for almost three years she has been a faithful observer of court-ordered visits of children with their non-custodial parents. Most recently she chaired the Kids First volunteers for the Junior League of Midland Inc.

Brandy is a willing substitute for other volunteer monitors, as she knows each family has to have volunteer in order to complete their visit.

When I first met Brandy, she and Josh were visiting at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Even before they joined the congregation, Brandy served as a volunteer for vacation Bible school, a role she continues to serve. Now she also serves the church as a member of the Staff Parish Committee that meets regularly.

After completing the United Way's Generation Two volunteer training program, Brandy joined the board of Communities in Schools as further evidence of her desire to help Midland children and young people. In 2018, she will chair that organization's major fundraiser.

Working as a paralegal for Cotton Bledsoe Tighe & Dawson law firm, Brandy coordinates the involvement of firm employees who help with the Reading Buddy program and other special projects at Sam Houston elementary school. She has also served for two years on the fundraising committee for the American Cancer Society.

It is obvious to anyone who knows her that Brandy likes to keep busy. She was raised to be a "giver," and she is definitely a gift to the children and adults of Midland.

Fran Billingsley, friend and retired Kids First volunteer coordinator

How did you decide to serve the community as a volunteer with Centers and Communities in Schools?

I moved to Midland from Lubbock to begin a new chapter in my life when I married Josh Wrangham. I wanted to become involved with the community to meet new people and become familiar with my new home. Junior League introduced me to several nonprofits, and I fell in love with volunteering. My first placement in the league was the Kids First Program through Centers for Children & Families. After volunteering my time at Centers, I found a true passion and joy by donating time for the betterment of others’ lives.

What talents and skills do you share with the community through your roles at these organizations?

I have gained experience in fundraising, leadership skills, organizational skills and becoming a better public speaker (not quite there, but working on it). By being a member of the Communities in Schools Permian Basin board, I have become educated on the business aspect of how a nonprofit operates.

What unexpected lesson have you learned while serving as a volunteer and through your nonprofit work?

Through my work with Centers for Children and Families, I have learned that sometimes it’s the smallest acts of kindness that leave the largest impressions. This is especially true with children. Simply by giving time by reading to struggling students or being available to supervise and facilitate visitations between noncustodial parents and their children allows immeasurable growth within their lives.

Why is volunteerism a priority for you?

As a small child, volunteerism was instilled in me by my mother. She was very involved within our community and emphasized the importance of serving others rather than oneself. I have cherished this life lesson and applied it to my life. I have found a true passion in volunteerism, and will continue, and hopefully pass on the tradition to my children one day.

How long has Midland been your home, and why have you stayed?

I made Midland my home in September 2014. I have never seen a community come together and help one another as the citizens of Midland do. There is great pride taken within our community, and I couldn’t imagine living or raising a family anywhere else.